The new Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is the most powerful cinema soundbar I’ve heard for its price. While many of the best soundbars aim to be everything to everyone, Klipsch and partner Onkyo have gone to great lengths to create a simple and slick Dolby Atmos bar that combines Klipsch sounds with Onkyo electronics for incredible value.
Of course, there is a catch. While Flexus mimics other “modular” sound bar systems, allowing you to add components like satellite surround speakers and/or a powerful subwoofer for a fee, the system leaves out advances like automatic calibration to tune your room or Wi-Fi compatibility to broadcast. audio from services such as Spotify Connect or AirPlay. This limits both the comfort and quality of music streaming.
That doesn’t mean the Flexus is stuck in the past. You’ll get a modern app that connects via Bluetooth LE (low energy) to adjust equalizer and other settings, combined with traditional home theater elements not found in its rivals, such as MDF components and a subwoofer to let you connect any powered subwoofer. No matter how you accessorize it, the Flexus Core 200 lives up to its name with fantastic base performance that lets you build on the fly.
Full bar
Compared to the growing class of “fun-sized” Atmos soundbars like the Sonos Beam and Bose 600 Smart Soundbar, the Core 200’s enormous size is almost surprising. At 44 inches wide and just over 3 inches tall, it looks more like the Sony one. $1,000 HT-A5000 than most rivals in its class. Its height also makes it a potential obstacle for those with shorter TVs.
Photography: Ryan Waniata
It has an extra touch of style, swapping the usual plastic top for MDF veneer, flanked on either side by 2.25-inch drivers designed to bounce sound off the ceiling for 3D sound. Also on top are dual 4-inch woofers that work together to reproduce remarkably powerful bass, again reminiscent of more expensive systems like the A5000 or the tubular Sonos Arc.
The Flexus offers fewer speaker channels than those more expensive bars, with a more reserved 3.1.2 channel setup that eschews side drivers. This limits its ability to push sound out of the walls for more convincing surround sound effects, but the Klipsch’s audio prowess still manages to extract fantastic sound from its minimalist setup.
The bar’s front speakers are smartly proportioned and include dual 2.25-inch drivers and a ¾-inch tweeter for the center channel and a 2.25-inch driver extended to the edges to expand the soundstage. A full-size LED display completes the design, making it easy to check inputs and adjust settings.
Dual control
Speaking of settings, you’ll get almost everything you need between the Klipsch Connect app and the dedicated remote, although you may have to switch between the two as you set things up. Either option provides control over basics like volume, inputs, and sound modes, including a night mode to soften the ambiance and dedicated movie and music modes.
The app adds access to a three-band equalizer and control for the surround speakers if you choose to add them to the system. Interestingly, you have to grab the dedicated remote to raise the height channels for bigger top effects, and neither option can raise the volume of the center channel. Instead, you’ll find a three-tier dialogue enhancement feature. It works quite well for enhancing dialogue in a pinch, but I’d still like to see a center channel control to balance the more subtle and bombastic moments, as I occasionally had to turn up the volume to balance things out.